Unveiling Loch Riddon: A Bike Ride Away From Dunoon
What a beautiful place. Not destroyed in any way, shape or form.
Loch Riddon is a tranquil and picturesque Sea Loch in the Argyll area of the Scottish Highlands, though its main settlements are quite small. It’s a secret destination for those looking to experience the natural beauty of the Scottish west coast.
Imagine a place where the grandeur of Scottish landscapes remains unspoiled by throngs of tourists. Tucked away in the Cowal Peninsula, this picturesque loch offers a serene retreat far from the hustle and bustle of urban life.
What’s astonishing about Loch Riddon is how it remains relatively undiscovered. Despite its beauty, many travellers (and bikers) zoom past it on their way to more popular destinations. But those in the know understand the unique appeal of this hidden gem.
Loch Riddon is a sea loch located on the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scotland.
Here are some key facts about Loch Riddon
Loch Riddon
- It is an narrow sea inlet of the Firth of Clyde on the western coast of Scotland separating the Cowal peninsula from the Isle of Bute.
- It is a sea loch located in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, extending north from the Kyles of Bute.
- The loch is about 6 miles (9.7 km) long and up to 1 mile (1.6 km) wide.
- At its mouth, it is separated from the Kyles of Bute by the narrow Burnt Isles.
- The villages of Colintraive and Glendaruel are situated on the shores of Loch Riddon.
- The A886 road runs along the eastern side of the loch.
- Several small islands lie within the loch, including Eilean Dearg with the ruined castle, Eilean Buidhe, Slate Islands and Fearnoch chapel.
- The loch provides good sheltered anchorage for boats and yachts.
- The area around Loch Riddon is popular for recreation activities like hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching.
- The hills and mountains around the loch offer scenic views of the surrounding landscape.
- The upper reaches of Loch Riddon form the East Kyle of Bute, a scenic strait where the A886 and B866 roads run along the shoreline.
- Loch Riddon is spanned by the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry service between Colintraive on the mainland and Rhubodach on the Isle of Bute.
- The ferry MV Loch Riddon, launched in 1986, was originally dedicated to this crossing for its first 11 years of service before being redeployed elsewhere.
- The shores of Loch Riddon (Loch ruel) and the Kyles are part of the designated Kyles of Bute National Scenic Area, renowned for their exceptional beauty.
Loch Riddon Google Map
Loch Riddon Area Map
There is a great little gravel bike ride from Kames to Torr Budhe along the shoreline. If you park in the parking spot along the seafront at Kames it is quite a nice ride almost traffic free along the sea front with breath taking views. Best to do this on a gravel bike, as the terrain gets worse after the port harbour.
Short Gravel Bike Ride
This short gravel ride downloaded from my Strava stats shows a nice easy short bike ride along the coastline. This could also be extended by going the other way from where I began. Stunning scenery and images on the route. Beautiful place.
You can download this short bike ride from my strava stats if you have a garmin or similar device that accepts gpx files.
Breathtaking Scenery: Nature’s Masterpiece
When it comes to scenery, Loch Riddon is a masterpiece painted by Mother Nature herself. Surrounded by rolling hills, dense woodlands, and rugged shorelines, the loch provides a jaw-dropping backdrop for any outdoor adventure. Kames is a great place to park and explore the area.
Parking For Wild Camping
There is a nice long parking place in Kames if you want to stay for a night wild camping. Follow the road shown in the map. The spaces are big enough for the largest of motorhomes. It is wild camping only, plus a bin. There are toilets on the way down the hill, and again in Tighnabrauich.